Ratcheting articulable monitor support and presentation device

Abstract

A ratcheting articulable monitor support system accommodates storage and presentation of an associated monitor, and is usable with a base and a monitor-mounting member. The system includes an arm with a first end and second end, wherein the first end is pivotally mounted to the base allowing rotational movement of the arm about a first axis and in a first plane. The arm has a range of rotational motion as a result of the pivotal mounting, and that range is characterized as having an arm-rotational-movement-restricting subrange. The system also includes a ratchet member fixedly attached to the arm intermediate the first and second ends, which ratchet member includes a body with a first subregion having arm-rotational-movement-restricting structure. A detent member is also included adjacent the ratchet member and fixedly attached to the arm intermediate the first and second ends. The detent member includes an operative end that is movable to engage the arm-rotational-movement-restricting structure of the ratchet member, and such engagement occurs when the arm is rotated in the arm-rotational-movement-restricting subrange. There is also a monitor support system that allows four degrees of movement within the system. Further, one embodiment is constructed to allow for the simultaneous use of a tray table and the monitor support system.

I claim: 
     
       1. For use in conjunction with adjacently-mounted seats, wherein such seats are mounted front-to-back and wherein at least one seat includes a back-mounted tray table usable by an occupant in a seat mounted immediately therebehind, an articulable monitor support system for accommodating storage and presentation of an associated monitor, and for permitting an occupant of a seat to simultaneously use the monitor and the back-mounted tray table mounted on the seat in front of them, the system being usable with a base and a monitor-mounting member to allow four degrees of movement, the system comprising: an arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the base for movement between a stowed position and a presented position, such movement pivoting the arm about a first axis, and further wherein the arm has a second end spaced therealong from the first end, and wherein the arm includes intermediate the first and second ends, an arcuate portion for permitting a tray table to be used while the arm is in the presented position;   a monitor; and   a monitor-mounting member pivotally mounted on the arm adjacent the second end thereof and movable about a second axis which is different from the first axis, such member further providing a tiltable, slidable mount for the monitor, wherein the monitor is tiltable about a third axis which is different from the first and second axes, and slidable in a direction generally parallel to the third axis.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein the arcuate portion is concave as viewed from the back-mounted tray table, and wherein such concavity allows the tray to be moved to a position adjacent the arm permitting the simultaneous use of both the tray table and the monitor. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2, wherein the shape of the arm, as viewed from a defined point on the first axis, resembles the number 7. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 2, wherein the arm includes a generally straight portion joined to the arcuate portion, wherein the straight portion provides a mount for the monitor-mounting member. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a ratchet member connected to the arm intermediate the first and second ends which includes a body having a knurled subregion, and a detent member positioned adjacent the ratchet member for selectively engaging the knurled subregion when the arm is moved between the stowed position and the presented position. 
     
     
       6. For use in conjunction with adjacently-mounted seats, wherein such seats are mounted front-to-back and wherein at least one seat includes a back-mounted tray table usable by an occupant in a seat mounted immediately therebehind, an articulable monitor support system for accommodating storage and presentation of an associated monitor, and for permitting an occupant of a seat to simultaneously use the monitor and the back-mounted tray table mounted on the seat in front of them, the system being usable with a base and a monitor-mounting member, the system comprising: an arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the base for movement between a stowed position and a presented position, such movement pivoting the arm about a first axis, the arm further including a second end spaced from the first end and an arcuate portion therebetween, wherein the arcuate portion is generally concave when viewed from the back-mounted tray table, and wherein such concavity allows the tray to be moved to a position adjacent the arm when the arm is in the presented position;   a monitor; and   a monitor mounting member pivotally mounted adjacent the second end of the arm and movable about a second axis which is different from the first axis, such member providing a slidable mount for the monitor so that the monitor may be positioned more directly in front of an occupant of the seat, and wherein the concavity of the arm permits the simultaneous use of the monitor and the tray table.   
     
     
       7. The system of claim 6, wherein the monitor is tiltably mounted on the monitor mounting member, such mounting member providing the monitor with at least two degrees of freedom. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7, wherein the shape of the arm, as viewed from a defined point on the first axis, resembles the number 7. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 6 further comprising a ratchet member connected to the arm intermediate the first and second ends which includes a body having a knurled subregion, and a detent member positioned adjacent the ratchet member for selectively engaging the knurled subregion when the arm is moved between the stowed position and the presented position. 
     
     
       10. A monitor presentation and support system useable in conjunction with a stowable tray table comprising: a first seat;   a second seat in front of the first seat;   a base mounted on the first seat;   an arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the base, a second end spaced from the first end, and an arcuate portion therebetween which includes a pair of reverse bends, and wherein the arm is movable about a first axis between a stowed position and a presented position, and further wherein one of the bends is generally concave as viewed from the second seat when the arm is in the presented position; and   a tray table mounted on the second seat and movable to a position generally in front of the first seat, and wherein the arm's concave bend, as viewed from the second seat, accommodates movement of the table to a position immediately adjacent the arm.   
     
     
       11. The system of claim 10, wherein one of the bends has a degree of angularity which is greater than the other bend. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bend with the greater degree of angularity is the bend which is concave as viewed from the second seat. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a monitor rotatably mounted on the arm adjacent the second end, being rotatable about a second axis which is different from the first axis. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a monitor-mounting member mounted on the arm adjacent second end and interposed between the monitor and the arm, and further wherein the monitor is tiltably, slidably mounted on the member for tilting movement about a third axis, and sliding movement along a defined line, wherein the third axis and the defined line are generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
       15. The system of claim 14, wherein the arm, when viewed from a defined point on the first axis, resembles the number 7. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 10 further comprising a ratchet member connected to the arm intermediate the first and second ends which includes a body having a knurled subregion, and a detent member positioned adjacent the ratchet member for selectively engaging the knurled subregion when the arm is moved about the first axis.